It’s time for a newly-tooled Covered Hopper! That’s right! Tangent Scale Models introduces a brand-new body in their PS4750 System – the N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 4750 Covered Hopper, their new product release for August 2025!

Just eight months after Pullman-Standard released the groundbreaking 4750cf covered hopper, in February 1973 Norfolk and Western Railroad (N&W) produced the first prototype for their own “home shops” fleet of this in-demand railcar. N&W’s Roanoke Shops, based in Roanoke, Virginia, produced many freight cars over the years, notably the majority of N&W’s large fleet of coal hoppers. Roanoke Shops also constructed 1,500 of these 4750 covered hoppers in the HC-71 class, designed to handle grains, fertilizers, lime, and other bulk commodity needs. These covered hoppers still operate on Norfolk Southern in both original and repaint paint schemes, while at the same time some cars have been sold to other operators.

The Tangent N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750cf Covered Hopper is a state of the art, dimensionally-accurate scale replica with highly accurate “true-to-life” colors and precise letter stencils. Tangent Scale Models Roanoke 4750 model replicates the prototype’s unique features including the distinctive vertical huck bolt rows on the carbody sides, welded sill extensions, and high shaker bracket locations. The models also include variations in jacking pads, outlet gates, roof hatches, and brake parts. Tangent Scale Models replicas include their fine “near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail. Tangent Scale Models ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee scale couplers and sufficient hidden weights to ensure the model operates as good as it looks. At more than 100 parts per car, not to mention phase accurate details, genuine Kadee couplers, and all-metal wheels, Tangent Scale Models provide you with a high-value-for-your-dollar model that will provide you with years of enjoyment and curb-appeal.

These products are shipping today! A quick synopsis of Tangent Scale Models N&W Roanoke Shops HC-71 Class 4750 scale replicas include:

• Dimensional accuracy – designed from N&W/Pullman-Standard plans and verified with field measurements
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• “Near-scale” draft gear box with beautifully-rendered side “key” detail
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme
• Road-specific details for each scheme
• “See through” etched metal running boards and crossover platforms
• N&W Roanoke side and end carbody details, including distinctive side post huck bolt rows
• Accurate N&W Roanoke brake layout configuration
• Brakewheel housing and clevis options
• Outlet gates
• Original + replacement style roof hatch parts
• New jacking pad varieties covering N&W specific Roanoke production from 1973-1979
• 5 different AEI tags covering different applications
• Beautiful details – wire grab irons and coupler lift bars – no “molded in” plastic grab irons here!
• Separate air hoses
• Tangent Scale Models precision 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating bearing caps (four possible options!) and separate brake beam part (2 possible options!)
• SKU-specific Stucki HS-7 Snubber option applied as needed on Tangent’s Barber S-2 trucks
• CNC-machined 36” wheels
• Genuine Kadee scale couplers
• Recommended age 14 years and older

Norfolk Western (NW) “Delivery HC-71 1973” NW Roanoke Shops 4750CuFt Covered Hopper

• Product: NW Roanoke Shops 4750CuFt Covered Hopper
• Scale: HO Scale 1:87.1
• Truck: 100-ton Barber S-2 trucks with prototype-specific rotating Brenco-6 bearing caps and separate brake beam part
• Wheels: CNC-Machined 36″ Wheels
• Era: 1973-2023

– NW “Delivery HC-71 1973” shows off the classic NW delivery gray paint. Roanoke built this group of 1000 cars across 1973-1974. The car numbers are selected from August and September 1973 Roanoke production, with ribbed roof hatches and Keystone Portloc outlet gates. It’s hard to understate the importance of these cars for modelers of the last 50+ years. Check out that Roanoke-style 4750 body construction, including two vertical rows of huck bolts on the car sides, wider post flanges and slot-style jacking pads above the bolsters. The shaker brackets on the bays are mounted higher than their Pullman Standard-built peers. Yes, Tangent Scale Models tooled an all-new body to cover these details and more! The paint details stand out, with the classic yellow N&W return route box under the “Grain Loading Only” lettering. The centersill of the car even features the tiny car number and Roanoke paint code stencil! Tangent Scale Models duplicated the slight spacing variations on the one-inch CLOSE HIOPPER SLIDES stencils across these car numbers. Eagle-eyed modelers will notice the Tangent model’s A-B-C bay stencils are accurately applied with the “C” bay at the B-end of the car. This was just the N&W’s way of doing things. (Pullman typically labeled the “B” Bay to the B end of their cars!) The car sides have an ACI label mounted on a raised plate, matching the prototype. The accurate 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing Trucks feature tiny N&W-applied T-188 truck class stencils, rotating Brenco-6 caps and 36” all-metal wheels. Tangent Scale Models are proud to offer these NW replicas in 12 road numbers: SKUs -01 through -08 feature 8-1973 build dates while SKUs -09 through -12 have 9-1973 build dates.

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